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February 2019
Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company/Lunar New Year Celebration
WCU Campus Activities present Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company at the Bardo Arts Center Tuesday, February 5th at 7:30 pm. Elegant and captivating, the Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company melds ancient Chinese forms with modern dance in an artistic and inventive marriage of styles. Artistic Director and Choreographer Lily Cai, a former principal dancer with the Shanghai Opera House, draws on her cultural heritage to create visually-stunning dance, performed by her all-female professional troupe. The performance moves from the ancient…
Find out more »August 2019
Resounding Change: Sonic Art and the Environment
Featuring contemporary artists who explore environmental issues through sound. The works in the exhibition, which range from a large-scale video installation to more intimate encounters with sound, ask questions about listening, ecology, empathy, climate change, and more. A visiting artist event with Raven Chacon, including a reception and gallery talk, will be hosted on Thursday, September 5 from 5-7 p.m. Above: Alexa Hatanaka, Patrick Thompson, Raven Chacon, Danny Osbourne, Sarah McNair-Landry, Eric McNair-Landry, and Erik Boomer, Gauge, 2013-2015, three-channel sound…
Find out more »Chakaia Booker: Auspicious Behavior
Experience a series of dynamic prints and Booker's signature sculptures made from repurposed tires. Her work addresses African-American identity, racial and economic inequality, and environmental concerns. A visiting artist event with Chakaia Booker will be held on Thursday, October 10 from 5-7p.m. with a reception and gallery talk, following will be a presentation from Booker in the Bardo Arts Center Performance Hall from 7-8p.m. Above: Chakaia Booker, Splitting Moment, 2007, Recycled Tires, 45 x 26 x 15 inches.
Find out more »September 2019
Tour de Cashiers
Join us for the annual Tour de Cashiers Mountain Cycling Experience across scenic mountain byways of western North Carolina. This popular pedaling event attracts participants from the southeast, many returning every year for the traditional ride, and bragging rights for completing one of the most challenging rides in the nation. Runners can also participate in a 5K race the same morning. The mountainous route features stunning scenery and challenging ascents with total elevation gains of up to 10,500 feet for…
Find out more »Music on the Porch: A Celebration of Samantha Bumgarner
Join us at the Appalachian Women’s Museum in Dillsboro, North Carolina on Saturday, September 14th from Noon – 5pm for Music on the Porch: A Celebration of Samantha Bumgarner. The event will feature museum tours, multiple bands performing live on the beautiful wrap-around porch of the old Monteith Homestead (now the Appalachian Women’s Museum). We’ll be honoring the memory and music of Jackson County resident Samantha Bumgarner. In 1924 she became the first woman to record country music for a…
Find out more »Hiplet Ballerinas
Experience a multicultural dance event at WCU's Bardo Arts Center with the Hiplet Ballerinas. This must-see show fuses classical pointe technique with urban dance that is rooted in communities of color, fueled by inclusivity, modern movement, and Instagram-ready style. Come see the group that is redefining Ballet at this electric show.
Find out more »JCGS Cruise-In Car Show
The Jackson County Genealogical Society’s annual Cruise-In, set for Sunday, September 29 in Sylva, will include classic cars (1988 and older), current-day muscle cars and “rat rods” (custom creations designed to express the builder’s take on a retro junk vehicle), as well as music and food. Registration fees, T-shirt donations, food and beverage sales, and a 50-50 raffle raise money to help cover JCGS operating costs. Cars will be displayed from 2 until 4 p.m., when they depart for the…
Find out more »October 2019
Chakaia Booker: Auspicious Behavior
Experience a series of dynamic prints and Booker's signature sculptures made from repurposed tires. Her work addresses African-American identity, racial and economic inequality, and environmental concerns. A visiting artist event with Chakaia Booker will be held on Thursday, October 10 from 5-7p.m. with a reception and gallery talk, following will be a presentation from Booker in the Bardo Arts Center Performance Hall from 7-8p.m. Above: Chakaia Booker, Splitting Moment, 2007, Recycled Tires, 45 x 26 x 15 inches.
Find out more »Girls Night Out
Girls of all ages will enjoy an evening of shopping, dining, door-prizes, drawings and special discounts at the Main Street Sylva Association's Girls Night Out. This special downtown experience offers exclusive after-hour store specials and discounts along with complimentary snacks and beverages. For more information, click here.
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Spirit of the Smokies Car Show
The 21st annual Spirit of the Smokies Car Show will take place Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Front Street in Dillsboro. The show is sponsored by the Sylva Rotary Club with the Smoky Mountain Cruisers and all proceeds will benefit local non-profit organizations. Last year’s event had more than 100 participants, with vehicles coming from Western North Carolina, North Georgia, and East Tennessee. Categories include: Classic Cars, Motorcycles, Special Interest Vehicles, Modified Street Machines, Trucks,…
Find out more »ETHEL + Robert Mirabal: The River
ETHEL, acclaimed adventurous string quartet + Robert Mirabal, Native American musician, instrument builder, and three-time GRAMMY® Award winner, present their next evolution of the cross-cultural concert experience. Their piece, “The River”, immerses the audiences in a flow of music, narrative, and ritual that evokes timeless Native American traditions through contemporary musical artistry.
Find out more »November 2019
An Evening With David Sedaris
New York Times best-selling author and celebrated NPR correspondent, David Sedaris, comes to the WCU Bardo Arts Center stage! With sardonic wit and incisive social critiques, David Sedaris has become one of America’s pre-eminent humor writers. The evening includes live readings of new material, Q&A, and pre/post-show book signing!
Find out more »December 2019
Sylva Christmas Parade
Downtown Sylva's annual Christmas parade draws hundreds to Historic Main Street for celebration, cheer and a chance to see Santa. This year's theme is "Christmas Past & Present," featuring 50+ floats usually starts at and ends at Mark Watson Park after a loop through town. The start time is 3 p.m., and the parade lasts 45 minutes to an hour. For more information please call 828-586-2719 or click here.
Find out more »A Christmas Carol
With script adaptation, direction, and a flawless performance as Scrooge, by award-winning 40 year theater veteran Scott H. Severance, this new adaptation of Dickens’ ever popular classic fills the stage with first class professional actors, lush costumes, stunning sets and puppetry, song and dance, a heavy dose of humor, and a timeless message. With the music of 26 beloved traditional carols of the season woven throughout this classic tale, A Christmas Carol is the perfect way to begin the holiday…
Find out more »Holidays at the UC
Experience the magic of the Holiday season at the annual Holidays at the UC. This family-friendly festive event will be Wednesday, Dec. 4th and Thursday, Dec. 5th. The whole family is invited for an evening of holiday activities! The festivities will take place at the AK Hinds University Center at 254 Memorial Drive, Cullowhee, NC from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Activities starting at $1 such as a photo with Santa and Holiday Mini Golf. You can also Build-A-Buddy for…
Find out more »July 2020
Cashiers Plein Air Festival
Nationally acclaimed painters from throughout the country set up their easels to capture the beauty of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau landscape and quaint mountain lifestyle. This type of outdoor location painting is known as en plein air, French for open air. The Cashiers Plein Air Festival is a biennial event held to raise funds to enhance The Village Green. During this week-long event, artists set up their easels in and around Cashiers to create original art depicting the area. These unique paintings are…
Find out more »August 2020
The Great Balsam Bike Relay
The third annual Great Balsam Bike Relay will be held in Jackson County, North Carolina on August 8, 2020. The race is unique, combining the disciplines of road biking and mountain biking. Teams of four racers will travel over dirt trails, gravel, and asphalt over the course of the race. The race route is kept a secret until check in the day before. The race brings riders from several states to experience the extreme mountain adventure known as the Balsam…
Find out more »Cashiers Designer Showhouse – Virtual Event
Interior designers representing the Southeastern region will not only bring trending design to Cashiers but will again create the magic that is the Cashiers Designer Showhouse. Leading area landscapers are involved in redefining the areas surrounding the home and in turn creating serene and evocative late summer mountain gardens for showhouse strolling. Throughout the week, Showhouse attendees will admire the work of the talented designers; enjoy a variety of workshops, book signings, and panel discussions from beloved creatives across the…
Find out more »November 2020
Rumble in the Rhododendron Fly Fishing Tournament
What could be better than a day out on the water with your best friend fly fishing? How about competing together for your share of $10,000 in the Rumble in the Rhododendron Fly Fishing Tournament. This two-person team tournament has a $250 entry fee and a $10,000 payout for the top 10 teams. Registration is available at the River’s Edge Outfitters in Cherokee, North Carolina, and further information will be available at the opening meeting on November 1 at 7…
Find out more »Santa on the Green, Cashiers Christmas Tree Lighting, & Mistletoe Market
Visitors to The Village Green enjoy twinkling light displays and festive decorations from Thanksgiving Weekend until New Year’s Day. The park becomes a winter wonderland to make your spirits merry and bright. Mistletoe Market NEW in 2020 - Artisan vendor market featuring pottery, jewelry, handmade wreaths, homemade goodies, and more! 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Friday, November 27, and Saturday, November 28 at The Village Green Commons on Frank Allen Road. Things will be a bit different this year as we implement safety…
Find out more »Home For the Holidays
We could all use a little holiday cheer this year! The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Sylva Association, Town of Sylva, Town of Dillsboro, and the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority encourage everyone to enjoy "Home for the Holidays," in our area. Limited Covid-safe holiday events are planned throughout our county from Thanksgiving through New Year's. Mark your calendars, mask up, and come enjoy Jackson County for the holidays. Shop small and shop local!
Find out more »December 2020
Home For the Holidays
We could all use a little holiday cheer this year! The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Sylva Association, Town of Sylva, Town of Dillsboro, and the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority encourage everyone to enjoy "Home for the Holidays," in our area. Limited Covid-safe holiday events are planned throughout our county from Thanksgiving through New Year's. Mark your calendars, mask up, and come enjoy Jackson County for the holidays. Shop small and shop local!
Find out more »Home For the Holidays
We could all use a little holiday cheer this year! The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Sylva Association, Town of Sylva, Town of Dillsboro, and the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority encourage everyone to enjoy "Home for the Holidays," in our area. Limited Covid-safe holiday events are planned throughout our county from Thanksgiving through New Year's. Mark your calendars, mask up, and come enjoy Jackson County for the holidays. Shop small and shop local!
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Sapphire Valley Ski Slopes Open
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Sapphire Valley offers the area’s finest skiing facility, boasting a state-of-the-art quad lift, a learning center slope and newly expanded, multiple lane, 500-foot snow tubing run. The actual open date is weather dependent but typically around the second to third week of December. Just above 3,400 feet elevation, Sapphire Valley offers a 1,600-foot main run with a vertical drop of 200 feet and a 500-foot snow tubing run. And now, Sapphire…
Find out more »Home For the Holidays
We could all use a little holiday cheer this year! The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Sylva Association, Town of Sylva, Town of Dillsboro, and the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority encourage everyone to enjoy "Home for the Holidays," in our area. Limited Covid-safe holiday events are planned throughout our county from Thanksgiving through New Year's. Mark your calendars, mask up, and come enjoy Jackson County for the holidays. Shop small and shop local!
Find out more »March 2021
Assault on Blackrock
Sylva, NC’s extreme trail race The eleventh annual Assault on BlackRock trail race has been set for Saturday, March 20, 2021. Register here. Trail running is extreme, and trail running in Sylva, North Carolina is no exception. How does running a seven-mile mountain trail race with 2,770 feet of elevation gain sound? Trail runners who compete in the Assault on BlackRock trail race will summit BlackRock at 5,810 feet- and that’s just the halfway point of the race. The trail…
Find out more »2021 School of Art & Design Faculty Biennial
Calling all lovers of fine art! Every two years, the WCU Fine Art Museum offers faculty in the School of Art and Design the opportunity to share their artwork with the University community. For this year’s Biennial, each faculty member contributed work that connects with the University’s 2020-2021 campus theme of Water. Review COVID-19 Reopening Guidelines here.
Find out more »Mildred Thompson: Helio Centric
Recognized as one of many African American women artists of the 20th and 21st centuries that have made significant contributions to the art world, Mildred Thompson (1936-2003) pursued a multi-dimensional career as a studio artist, teacher, writer, and musician. She moved between different mediums, including painting, sculpture, and printmaking, and was known for using scientific concepts as inspiration for her abstract art. Witness this iconic display for a limited time at the WCU Fine Arts Museum. Review COVID-19 Reopening Guidelines here.
Find out more »Water for Thought
Drawn from the Museum’s permanent collection as well as outside lenders, this group of images creates an atmosphere of calm and contemplation and invites us into a space of romantic reverie. Several photographs in the exhibition carry a deeper psychological or political dimension and use water to express ideas about loss, change, and memory. The Museum invites visitors to experience the exhibition on both levels—as an aesthetic boost to the spirit and a deeper dive into important societal issues. Review…
Find out more »Cherokee’s Annual Opening Day Fishing Tournament
Compete in the rivers on the Qualla Boundary (excluding the 2.2 miles of catch-and-release waters) for tagged fish ranging from $25 up to $5,000 at Cherokee's Annual Opening Day Fishing Tournament. Redeem tagged fish for cash prizes at the Natural Resources Enforcement Office, 517 Sequoyah Trail (off Hwy 441). Prize redemption will run from 4-6 pm each day of the tournament.
Find out more »April 2021
The Easter Hat Parade
Led by a fleet of restored antique cars, followed by the many hat contestants and featuring the Easter Bunny, the parade begins in front of the Town Hall on Front Street. Get your face painted! Make a hat and come join the parade! Last-minute entrants very welcome. Awards are announced after the Parade. Ribbons are given for the Prettiest, Funniest, Largest, Smallest, Most Unusual, Most Easter-like, Best Smelling, Cutest, Most Outrageous, Best In Show and "Poofiest" hats among other unusual…
Find out more »Airing of the Quilts
It’s time for the annual Airing of the Quilts at the Appalachian Women’s Museum, (AWM) in Dillsboro. In the interest of safety, the Airing of the Quilts will be virtual this year except for one drive-by hanging quilt show. Airing of the Quilts will be a month-long event with various types of materials released online throughout the month. Content will be available on AppWomen.org and release of the content will be announced on Facebook. An airing of the Monteith sisters’…
Find out more »West Fork of the Tuckasegee River Recreational Releases
Experienced paddlers from throughout the southeast turn out for the West Fork annual recreational releases. During the summer months, the Lake Glenville Dam releases whitewater into the west fork of the Tuckasegee River, creating class IV rapids over a 5.5-mile stretch. Release dates for 2021 are April 10-11, June 5, July 10, July 24, Aug.7 & 21. Information on Glenville Dam releases and the whitewater conditions can be found here. Access to the High Falls trail is directly across from…
Find out more »West Fork of the Tuckasegee River Recreational Releases
Experienced paddlers from throughout the southeast turn out for the West Fork annual recreational releases. During the summer months, the Lake Glenville Dam releases whitewater into the west fork of the Tuckasegee River, creating class IV rapids over a 5.5-mile stretch. Release dates for 2021 are April 10-11, June 5, July 10, July 24, Aug.7 & 21. Information on Glenville Dam releases and the whitewater conditions can be found here. Access to the High Falls trail is directly across from…
Find out more »May 2021
Memorial Day Fishing Tournament – Cherokee
Spend the long weekend with the boys: rainbow, brook, golden, and brown.
Find out more »Spring Fling Art & Craft Walk
Enjoy the artisan village of Dillsboro to the fullest during the Spring Fling Art & Craft Walk.
Find out more »June 2021
West Fork of the Tuckasegee River Recreational Releases
Experienced paddlers from throughout the southeast turn out for the West Fork annual recreational releases. During the summer months, the Lake Glenville Dam releases whitewater into the west fork of the Tuckasegee River, creating class IV rapids over a 5.5-mile stretch. Release dates for 2021 are April 10-11, June 5, July 10, July 24, Aug.7 & 21. Information on Glenville Dam releases and the whitewater conditions can be found here. Access to the High Falls trail is directly across from…
Find out more »